The House of Representatives has signalled its readiness to vote on proposed constitutional amendments aimed at establishing state police, a move lawmakers say is critical to curbing the nation’s escalating insecurity.
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, made this known on Wednesday during a briefing with journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Kalu emphasised that the House has prioritised security-related amendments, with the creation of state police at the forefront of the legislative agenda. He noted that the Green Chamber is determined to leverage legislative intervention to bolster the executive’s efforts in safeguarding lives and property.
According to the Deputy Speaker, the National Assembly has pinpointed the current centralised policing structure as a major hurdle to effective crime-fighting, arguing that it limits rapid response to security threats across the states.
Kalu revealed that extensive consultations with key stakeholders—including the Inspector-General of Police, state governors, and the executive arm—have yielded broad consensus in favour of decentralising the police force.
He expressed optimism that the bill would sail through Thursday’s voting session, noting that the House is confident it will also receive the necessary backing from the various State Houses of Assembly to scale the constitutional requirements.
